hidden light (Elena) The wooden door creaked as Elena eased it open, and she peered out through the crack. Shelves of dark oak met her eyes, gentle rays of sunlight dancing across the endless scrolls that sat upon them. Her ears twitched, and she let out a breath when no sound came from the vast room. “It’s clear, I think,” she whispered, squeezing Emris’ hand. Her palm was slick from his nervous sweats, and she could feel the tension leave his body as they eased out into the

an empty throne (Egan) Crius let out a choked gasp, staggering and falling to his knees. The roar of the crowd turned to screams, so loud Egan could not hear his own voice. “Father!” he shouted, lunging forward. Arrows whizzed past him, several nicking his arms, and a familiar weight tackled him from behind. He swore, struggling to free himself, but his guard kept him pinned to the cold stone. “Stay down, Prince,” Jayce hissed in his ear. “My father—” “His guards will…” Jayce

path of a star (Elena) Elena couldn’t breathe. The shackles on her wrists felt as like chains entangling her entire body; so tight that no air could enter her lungs. She curled up on the cold ground where the soldiers had left her, her slender body wracked with sobs. Her gaze remained locked on where the widow lay, still and growing as cold as the air around her. Would death always follow in her wake? Was she doomed to bring the end of all those she loved? Why was she incapab

weight of the crown (Egan) Egan sank to the ground, clutching the parchment in his hands. He told himself the tremble of the paper was due to the breeze. His gaze darted across the runes; runes he should be incapable of reading.   Hae Namchul;   trials three you must pass, to gain that eternal crown; one to lower thine head, to remind thee of why one to straighten thine compass, to teach you of what one to cleanse thine heart, to make you who   stay steady, oh dear captain; s

Fractured Pieces (chapter five) “Wait!” I shouted, darting after him. “Miss Beckett!” a voice called from behind me. I hesitated for a split second to look back and spotted two newsboys striding towards me. By the time I turned to the alleyway again, the man had vanished, and all his secrets with him. “Geez, you look like you saw’d a ghost.” “Saw’d?” I repeated in an incredulous tone. Jett, the shorter of the two newsboys, gave me a sheepish grin and shrugged. “Ain’t that the

Queen's Opening (chapter four) Alex… was not an easy person to find. Granted, almost no one was easy to find in the giant maze that was New York City. Especially not in Brooklyn. Not to mention the limp my throbbing ankle was causing. Overall… not the ideal search party situation. Blowing out a frustrated breath, I trudged my way down the crowded sidewalks, dodging the mud puddles created by last night’s rain. Perhaps I’d get lucky, and he’d be at the first place I checked. I

coming to light (Elena) “I always knew you were a star,” he whispered, his eyes reflecting the fading light surrounding them. She let out a little laugh, her voice thick with tears. “You scared me, Em. I thought you died.” “Sorry,” he whispered, his voice solemn. “I won’t do it again.” The light shimmered away, but seemed to leave a residue on their skin, sparkling golden lines etched across their tanned cheeks and arms. “Elena!” Elena’s gaze snapped up, her breath hitching i

wisps of night (chapter three) The door closed in front of me, blocking out the cold draft from the hallway. My parents spoke to me, but their voices seemed muffled and incoherent, as if I was underwater. Forcing myself to focus on their words, I tore my gaze away from the door, looking at my parents. “Nikki, darling, take some deep breaths,” Mam said, guiding me over to the couch. I all but collapsed onto it, the tears returning in an overwhelming flood. Water dripped from m

the ruin of a prince (Egan) Egan felt as if all the breath had been stolen from his lungs. Those words carried a danger far greater than he had imagined facing. “Guardian?” he repeated, his voice sounding choked. “There… there is nothing left to guard. The time you speak of is gone. Destroyed . The haven is in ruins - and there are none left to inhabit it.” The dragon’s face seemed to glow with an emotion akin to grief, and it bowed its head. “ Courage is not the absence of f

shadowed veils (chapter two) My heart departed my chest, thudding so fast I felt dizzy. I stumbled back a step, my breath caught in my throat, mind blank with terror. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the man, couldn’t look away as I watched the light fade out of his eyes. I’d never watched anyone die before. Mom always sent me away when it happened. And this was different. This wasn’t sickness or starvation claiming a life. This— This was a cold, unforgiving blade, through t

first rays (Elena) The two friends stared at each other, the word hanging between them, neither daring to speak for a long moment. “What do we do?” she breathed at last. “How can we ever explain this?” “We need to go,” Emris said, breathless. “Let someone else find this, someone who won’t be framed. You can’t be seen anywhere near this.” He snatched her hand in his and took off through the tall, whipping stalks of sitari. Elena stumbled after him, glancing back over her shoul

oceans rise (Egan) Egan stepped back, shaking his head. “No. This is impossible. Magic is—” “Alive,” Arkin breathed, his gaze locked on the water. “Egan, do you know what this means?” “It means we could all be executed,” he hissed. The shape of the dragon twisted into a seashell, the water glimmering as if containing shards of crystal. Egan’s gaze snapped back to the pillar, his heart pounding against his ribcage. The liquid seemed to respond to his emotional spike, rising hi

star fall (Elena) Elena was falling out of the sky. Light flashed around her, shimmering gold and purple and deep, royal blues. The wind rushed past her face, brushing along her cheek like the touch of a long-lost lover. She stared up at the stars, twirling and dancing along the canvas of the sky, as if waving goodbye. She knew the ground was coming soon; but she was not afraid. She closed her eyes as she landed, light as a feather, on the soft green grass, surrounded by whit

Artwork by Dernhelm

Among the Ruins (Egan) Magic was dead. Egan knew that better than anyone. Believing otherwise was what had killed his twin sister. Believing otherwise killed his parents. Believing otherwise had nearly killed him. Magic was dead.   Egan sprinted up the narrow ravine, darting out of reach of the giant, snarling wolf snapping his heels. He drew his sword and whirled around, slicing the blade through the beast’s side. Its hot, rancid breath filled his nose, and grayish blood spl